WIDNES are expecting new Australian signing Charly Runciman to make his debut in the first game of the Super 8s in a couple of weeks’ time.

The 22-year-old centre joined Vikings this week from NRL side St George-Illawarra Dragons on a deal which stretches to the end of next season.

Vikings boss Denis Betts has been looking to strengthen his side’s three-quarter line and jumped at the opportunity to bring Runciman over as the season reaches its climax.

He said: “We were originally on the lookout for next year.

“We wanted somebody who could make an impact but also be a big part of our culture.

“We looked at two or three lads but Charly ended up jumping out of that group.

“Having Brett (Hodgson) on our staff certainly helped with the contacts he’s got in the NRL.

“Charly exploded into the St George team a couple of seasons ago but got a couple of knocks and was on the edge sitting behind Brett Morris last year.

“He didn’t quite manage to climb back into the team but he’s an Australian schoolboy international and a New South Wales junior representative.

“He’s six-foot-one, an out-an-out left-sided player with plenty of pace.

“He can play both wing and centre but predominantly we’re looking at him as a centre.

“He fits the bill for what we wanted. He’s a quality individual.”

The Vikings resources in the centres have been severely stretched with Cameron Phelps’ career at the Select Security Stadium coming to a premature end and injuries to the likes of Stefan Marsh causing further problems.

Coach Betts knows it won’t be easy for Runciman to step straight into the heat of battle as Vikings try to stave off the threat of relegation through The (Middle 8) Qualifiers.

But he’s backing the new boy’s natural ability to shine through.

“That’ll be the measure of him as a professional and the measure of us as an organisation," said Betts.

“We want to slot him in and make his job purpose pretty clear.

“I was looking for a player; not necessarily a physical specimen but someone who can play the game.

“He might add something a little bit different; he might not always stick to the script. But he can pick a pass and he knows when to kick when somebody’s out of position.

“I wasn’t looking for a manufactured athlete; I was looking for a rugby player. Not a sprinter to make into a player or a giant to turn into a battering ram; I was looking for a lad who can play.

“Charly’s been playing from a very young age at a very good level.

“We can offer him the opportunity to play at the top end of the game in this country.

“It’s exciting because it gives us that little bit of impetus as well at this stage of the season.”